The incidence of adverse reactions following 4% septocaine (articaine) in children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to report the incidence of adverse events following the use of 4% Septocaine in children.


METHODS
A prospective study was carried out on children attending university-based pediatric dental clinics for restorative core under local anesthesia. Data collection included patient demographics, medical history, amount and site of injection, and treatment complexity. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with the parents at 3, 5, 24, and 48 hours regarding prolonged paresthesia, soft tissue injury, and pain.


RESULTS
Two hundred sixty-four 2 to 14 year-olds were recruited for the study. Complete interview information was obtained from 204 patients. Prolonged paresthesia at 3 hours postinjection was reported for 40% of the population and at 5 hours for 11%. Soft tissue injury occurred in 14% of the patients at 3 hours and was found to be highest among children younger than 7 years old. The lip was the most commonly affected site for accidental injury and it was not related to injection site. Twenty percent reported postprocedural pain at 3 and 5 hours post-treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Since prolonged numbness appears to be the most frequent adverse event and occurred primarily in children younger than 7 years old, parents need to be informed and reassured accordingly.
Adewumi
A
A
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla, USA. aadewumi@dental.ufl.edu
Hall
M
M
Guelmann
M
M
Riley
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002355:Carticaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002610:Cheek / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D002355:Carticaine; D004837:Epinephrine